Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Internet: EU Law

Lord Clement-Jones: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to amendthe Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) Regulations 2002 to require intermediaries providing commercial services for online businesses toundertake due diligence measures for the verification of the identities of those conducting digital business services.

Baroness Barran: Her Majesty’s Government has no plans to amend Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) Regulations 2002 to require intermediaries providing commercial services for online businesses to undertake due diligence measures for the verification of the identities of those conducting digital business services.

Department for Education

Higher Education: Royal Charters

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government which higher education institutions have sought to amend their Royal Charters in each of the past three years; which changes were proposed in each case;andwhy those institutions made any such proposals.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay: Requests by chartered higher education providers for amendments to their governance arrangements are received and co-ordinated by the Privy Council Office.The Privy Council Office consults the advisers to the Privy Council, including the Department for Education, in reviewing these requests, in order to gain the necessary advice to inform the Privy Council’s recommendation to Her Majesty on whether Her approval may be given to the chartered bodies’ proposals.The Privy Council Office records requests it has received, but does not separately identify the changes proposed and the reasons for the request. Each case is treated on its own merits and case papers filed on a unique basis. The Privy Council Office and the department have carried out a preliminary co-ordinated scoping of both of their records, and this has revealed about 40 instances where a case was opened for a chartered body seeking to amend its governance arrangements during the period 2018-20.To answer the questions raised more fully would take very considerable time and resource to achieve, as the needed information is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.However, all higher education provider chartered body amendments which have been approved by Her Majesty in Council can be found at: https://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/orders/.

Ministry of Justice

Domestic Abuse: Victim Support Schemes

Lord Polak: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much of the victims core grant funding Police and Crime Commissioner’s spent between 1 April 2019 and 31 March 2020 on (1) domestic abuse services, (2) domestic violence specialist services, (3) domestic abuse perpetrator programmes, (4) family court domestic abuse support, and (5) Independent Domestic Violence Advisers.

Lord Polak: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much additional expenditure outside of the victims core grant funding Police and Crime Commissioner’s spent between 1 April 2019 and 31 March 2020 on (1) domestic abuse services, (2) Independent Domestic Abuse Advisers, (3) domestic abuse perpetrator programmes, (4) family court domestic abuse support, and (5) Independent Domestic Violence Advisers.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: In 2019/20 Police and Crime Commissioners received £70.3m from the Ministry of Justice to provide or commission support services for victims of crime, including victims of Domestic Abuse. PCCs also spend additional money from other sources on victims’ services. It is not possible to provide the spend on specific sub-categories of Domestic Abuse services, as it cannot be disaggregated from overall spend for all PCCs.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Commonwealth: Coronavirus

Baroness Hoey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they areprovidingto smaller Commonwealth nations to access COVID-19 (1) tests, and(2) vaccines.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK is committed to rapid, equitable access to safe and effective vaccines, treatments and tests globally as demonstrated by our strong support for the Access for COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, to which the UK has contributed up to £813 million of new funds. This includes up to £23 million committed to the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), to drive innovation in the development and delivery of tests to combat major diseases affecting the poorest populations. Our contribution also includes the UK's commitment of up to £500 million to the COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) - the international initiative to support global equitable access to vaccines. On top of our existing contribution of £48 million re-programmed from existing Gavi programming, this makes the UK the COVAX AMC's largest bilateral donor. Our commitment will support access to COVID-19 vaccines for up to 92 developing countries, including in the Commonwealth, by contributing to the supply of 1 billion doses in 2021, and vaccinations for up to 500 million people (subject to vaccines successfully securing stringent regulatory approvals).

West Bank: Palestinians

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report byYesh Din, Physicians for Human Rights Israel and Breaking the Silence A life exposed: Military invasions of Palestinian homes inthe West Bank, published in November.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are concerned by the findings of the report by Yesh Din entitled, 'A Life Exposed: Military invasions of Palestinian homes in the West Bank'. We repeatedly call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and have a regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation, including the Israeli security forces' rules of engagement. While we recognise Israel's legitimate need to deploy security measures, we encourage them to deploy these in a way which minimises tension and to use appropriate force.

Israel: Palestinians

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reportsaboutrecent remarks by Israel's Ambassador to the United Kingdom about (1) the Nakba, and (2) the displacement of Palestinians since 1948.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Minister for the Middle East and North Africa met with the Israeli Ambassador to the UK on 15 December and reiterated the UK's position on the Middle East Peace Process, including our commitment to a two state solution with Jerusalem as a shared capital. The UK is clear that the status of Palestinian refugees must be agreed as part of wider peace negotiations. Until that time, the UK remains firmly committed to supporting the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and Palestinian refugees across the Middle East. We support a just, fair, agreed and realistic settlement for refugees in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1515. In practice, this means that any such agreement must be demographically compatible with two states for two peoples and a generous package of international compensation should be made available. Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict, UNRWA was established by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 302 (IV) of 8 December 1949 to carry out direct relief and works programmes for Palestinian refugees. The operational definition of a Palestinian refugee is any person whose "normal place of residence was Palestine during the period 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948 and who lost both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 conflict".

Ethiopia: Humanitarian Situation

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports (1) that UN workers were shot at by Ethiopian forces in Tigray, and (2) that the provision of humanitarian aid to areas of Tigray that are not controlled by the government of Ethiopia has been blocked; and what steps they intend to take in response to the statementby the International Committee for the Red Cross on 8 December that the city of Mekele is “basically today without medical care".

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are deeply concerned by the reports of UN workers being shot at by Ethiopian forces in Tigray. The UK has been consistent in our request that humanitarian actors be granted free and unfettered access in Tigray and we will continue to work constructively with the Ethiopian authorities, the UN and others to this end. Ongoing impediments to access faced by relief actors puts civilians at risk in Tigray. The Minister for Africa reiterated this in his tweet of 9 December.The UK is a major and longstanding humanitarian donor to Ethiopia. UK support has benefitted millions of Ethiopians; has saved lives, promoted dignity and supported poverty alleviation efforts. It is important that we can continue to support the people of Ethiopia including those impacted by the violence in Tigray. Humanitarian agencies including UK funded partners in Tigray are working hard in extremely challenging circumstances to deliver assistance to refugees and host communities including shelter; health; water, sanitation and hygiene; nutrition and protection support. Urgent access is required so that humanitarian support can be provided and delivery of essential services can resume immediately. We welcome the news of the International Committee for the Red Cross convoy reaching Mekele over the weekend of 12 and 13 December.

Gaza: Coronavirus

Baroness Sheehan: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the warning by the World Health Organization’s Gaza office that Gaza’s healthcare system could be overwhelmed by COVID-19.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK remains concerned about the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza and the impact of COVID-19 on an already fragile healthcare system. Recognising the severity of the situation, we were one of the first donors to provide funding to support the health and humanitarian response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). We have provided £1.25 million funding (the World Health Organisation with £630,000 and the United Nations Children's Fund with £620,000) to purchase and co-ordinate delivery of medical equipment, treat critical care patients, train frontline health workers and scale up laboratory testing capacity - mainly in Gaza. In addition, we are providing £2.5 million to the World Food Programme to provide food and cash assistance for the most vulnerable Palestinians to help alleviate the humanitarian situation. We have also contributed £1 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency's Emergency Appeal in the OPTs which will help provide emergency food to over one million food-insecure refugees in Gaza.

Islam: Religious Hatred

Lord Blencathra: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the adoption of the resolution by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Promotion of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation for peace (A/75/L.36/Rev.1), published 1 December, and (2) the reference by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, in his address relating to that resolution to the 75th Session of the UNGA on 25 September, to Islamophobic incidents in Europe of Muslims being targeted; and what assessment they have made of (a) that reference in view of Article 7 of the former version of that resolution (A/75/L.25), published on 4 December 2019, which “condemns any advocacy of religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, whether it involves the use of print, audiovisual or electronic media, social media or any other means", and (a) whether that reference may be used to create an offence of blasphemy against Islam.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Promoting Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, and promoting respect between different religious and non-religious communities is a longstanding priority for the UK Government. We believe that one of the most effective ways to tackle injustices and advocate for respect amongst different religious groups is to encourage countries to uphold their human rights obligations, particularly through international institutions such as the UN. While the UK supported the underlying theme of A/75/L.36/Rev.1 at the 75th Session of the UN General Assembly, Her Majesty's Government abstained in the voting on the resolution because there were elements of the text which the UK, along with others, were unable to support.The UK's views on the Resolution are clear. While the UK and Pakistan do have differences in approach to FoRB and Freedom of Expression, the large bulk of operative paragraph 7 of the previous version of the Resolution is a verbatim copy of Article 20.2 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which the UK ratified in 1976. In the ongoing academic and legal debate about whether this reference can be used domestically to justify blasphemy legislation, the longstanding UK position is that this provision does not require that. We remain deeply concerned by the misuse of blasphemy laws. These laws generally limit Freedom of Expression and are only compatible with international human rights law in narrow circumstances. We regularly raise at a senior level the issue of blasphemy laws with the authorities in Pakistan and elsewhere. We believe that people must be allowed to discuss and debate issues freely, including exercising their right to Freedom of Expression, to invoke, peacefully, discussions about thought, conscience and religion.

Sri Lanka: Politics and Government

Baroness Kennedy of Cradley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their latest assessment of (1) the economic and (2) the political, situation in Sri Lanka.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Government monitors economic and political developments in Sri Lanka very closely, including through the British High Commission in Colombo. Like all countries, Sri Lanka has been affected by the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, and the government of Sri Lanka has introduced measures to respond to this. On 10 December, the Sri Lankan parliament passed the government's budget for 2021. The UK Government has underlined the importance of an inclusive economic response, including for marginalised groups and those most affected by the impacts of the pandemic.Sri Lanka held parliamentary elections in August. In November, the government passed a constitutional amendment which consolidated executive power over appointments to the judiciary and independent institutions. The human rights situation remains concerning, including harassment of civil society, continued militarisation of civilian functions, and increased anti-Muslim sentiment. The UK Government regularly engages with the Government of Sri Lanka up to ministerial level on a broad range of issues, including our human rights concerns.

Syria: Sanctions

Baroness Cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the statement by the government of the United States' special representative for Syria engagement and special envoy to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, on 9 December that sanctions against Syria have been a “very effective strategy”.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: US Sanctions are a matter for the US government. The UK has imposed sanctions on Syria to end the violent repression of civilians in Syria. These sanctions send a clear message to the regime and its supporters, that we will not stand by whilst the regime continues to commit serious human rights abuses. We continue to impose sanctions on those responsible in order to maintain pressure for a political settlement to end the conflict.

Pakistan: Forced Marriage and Religious Freedom

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assistance they have given to the government of Pakistan (1) to expedite prosecutions of those responsible for, and (2) to secure redress for those affected by, forced marriages and conversions.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Government strongly condemns the forced marriage and forced conversion of women and girls from religious minorities in Pakistan. We regularly raise our concerns on these issues with the Government of Pakistan. Most recently, I raised our human rights concerns, including Freedom of Religion or Belief, with Pakistan's Minister for Human Rights on 16 November. In addition, I raised our concerns about child, early and forced marriage and forced conversion of women and girls from minority religious communities, with Pakistan's Minister for Human Rights on 19 October.Through the UK's development support, we are working with the Government of Pakistan to strengthen and improve Pakistan's police and judicial systems. The UK's Strengthening Rule of Law in Pakistan programme aims to increase public confidence and trust in the Rule of Law. It focuses on delivering outputs that improve the justice system for victims, witnesses and offenders, including vulnerable women and girls.

Pakistan: Forced Marriage and Religious Freedom

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Pakistan about its publication Policy Brief by National Commission on the Rights of the Child on Forced Conversion with Recommendations after Analysis of Arzoo Case, published on 7 December; and what steps they are taking to prevent the practices analysed in the publication.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We welcome the policy brief by Pakistan's National Commission on the Rights of the Child on forced conversions published on 7 December. The UK Government strongly condemns the forced marriage and forced conversion of women and girls from religious minorities in Pakistan. We regularly raise our concerns on these issues with the Government of Pakistan. Most recently, I raised our human rights concerns, including Freedom of Religion or Belief, with Pakistan's Minister for Human Rights on 16 November. In addition, I raised our concerns about child, early and forced marriage and forced conversion of women and girls from minority religious communities, with Pakistan's Minister for Human Rights on 19 October.Through the UK's development support, we are encouraging policy reform at federal and provincial level to strengthen child protection laws in order to prevent child marriage. In addition, the UK's Strengthening Rule of Law in Pakistan programme aims to increase public confidence and trust in the Rule of Law. It focuses on delivering outputs that improve the justice system for victims, witnesses and offenders, including vulnerable women and girls.

Hong Kong: HSBC

Lord Truscott: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatrepresentations they have made to HSBC Bank following that bank's suspension of the bank accounts of pro-democracy campaigners from Hong Kong.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are in close contact with a wide range of businesses in Hong Kong, but it is for businesses themselves to make their own judgement calls. We are concerned that a number of recent decisions by the authorities in Hong Kong are further evidence of a determined campaign to stifle opposition and silence dissent. As a signatory to the Sino-British Joint Declaration, China must abide by the legally binding commitments it made to uphold fundamental rights and freedoms, and respect Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy for at least 50 years from 1997. The UK will continue to pursue an approach in Hong Kong that is rooted in our values, defends the rights of the people of Hong Kong and respects the provisions of the Joint Declaration.

Nagorno Karabakh: Peace Negotiations

Baroness Cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to their statement at the special OSCE Permanent Council on 29 September, what assessment they have made of whether asustainable peace in the Nagorno-Karabakh region can be brought about by a negotiated settlement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Government firmly believes that a negotiated settlement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, in line with the Basic Principles, is the only lasting solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Mozambique: Islamic State

Baroness Northover: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking in response to the humanitarian and security situation in Cabo Delgado province in Mozambique; what assessment they have made of reported atrocities by (1) non-state armed groups, and (2) the Mozambique army and police; and what assessment they have made of the number of people displaced by fighters linked to Islamic State.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK is deeply concerned by the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in northern Mozambique, and the increasing attacks by groups with links to Islamic extremism. To date, the insurgency has claimed over 2,000 lives and created over 515,000 internally-displaced people. On 10 November, the Foreign Secretary and the Minister for Africa publicly condemned the recent attacks in which over 50 people were reportedly beheaded. We were also deeply concerned at videos, released in September, of alleged human rights abuses by the Mozambique security forces. Acts committed in the video were horrific and unacceptable, and we have urged the Mozambiquan authorities to ensure there is a full investigation to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.We are working with the Government of Mozambique to address the root drivers of conflict and instability in northern Mozambique, including through engagement with the Government of Mozambique's regional development authority in Cabo Delgado, and by providing targeted technical assistance under the framework of a Defence Memorandum of Understanding. To date, the UK has provided £19m of humanitarian and development support to internally displaced people in northeast Mozambique through UN agencies, ensuring displaced people have access to food, shelter and basic healthcare.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Politics and Government

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to call for a review of theGeneral Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, reached on 21 November 1995, in order to find new consitutional arrangements forBosnia–Herzegovina; and what plans they have to stipulate, as part of any such review, that the population of Bosnia–Herzegovina be consulted in any such review.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The importance of the General Framework Agreement for Peace, which brought an end to the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) in the 1990s, cannot be overstated. However, it was not intended to be set in stone and was worded to enable local actors to make changes in the future. The United Kingdom remains committed to supporting BiH's security, democracy and prosperity, underpinned as necessary by constitutional reform. The international community will offer support, but it is essential that the authorities in BiH themselves make reforms based on broad consensus and for the greater good of all citizens. This path forward requires compromise and cooperation from all sides. All BiH citizens must have the right to participate equally in their country's future. The Foreign Secretary called on BiH's leaders to focus on a peaceful future and democratic rights for all in his statement to mark the anniversary of the Dayton Agreement on 21 November.

Ethiopia: Human Rights

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the remarks by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on 9 December about the situation in Ethiopia;whatsteps they intend to take (1) to implement independent monitoring, (2) to protect human rights, and (3) to hold those responsible for human rights violations to account, in that country.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We share the concerns about the situation in Ethiopia expressed by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in her statement of 9 December. The UK has, alongside international partners, called on all sides to ensure the protection of civilians and to respect human rights. There must also be accountability for any human rights abuses and violations. We welcome the call by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission for the independent investigation of human rights violations. We are tracking the situation and continue to raise the importance of respect for human rights with the Government of Ethiopia and leaders on both sides, while pressing for an early political solution.

Canary Islands: Coronavirus

Lord Snape: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to their decision to remove the Canary Islands from their travel corridor list for the COVID-19 pandemic, what plans they have to renew their advice on holiday travel to that destination.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: FCDO travel advice related to COVID-19 is based on the country assessments of Public Health England and the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), the organisation mandated to provide health advice to British nationals travelling overseas. They judge the risks of exposure to COVID-19 in each country/territory. All FCDO travel advice pages remain under constant review to ensure they reflect the latest threat assessment to British nationals and include up-to-date information and advice.

China: Uighurs

Lord Beecham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representationsthey have made to the government of China about the mistreatment of Uighurs.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We remain committed to promoting human rights in Xinjiang, and our continued multilateral and bilateral activity demonstrates this. The Foreign Secretary has personally raised our serious concerns with his Chinese counterpart on a number of occasions this year. The UK has also taken a leading international role in holding China to account for its gross human rights abuses in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. On 6 October, the UK and 38 other countries joined a statement at the UN Third Committee in New York expressing deep concern at the situation in Xinjiang and Hong Kong, including the mass detention of Uyghurs in political re-education camps. This growing international pressure on China reflects UK diplomatic leadership, including the personal involvement of the Foreign Secretary in raising the issue with a wide range of partners.

Greece: Immigrants and Refugees

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking with international partners to reduce the number of refugees and migrants in Greece.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We have?a?long standing?and strong relationship with Greece and?are committed to supporting Greece's efforts to manage migration effectively. On 22 April, the UK? and Greece signed a bilateral migration action plan to reaffirm our commitment to cooperation and to establish a strategic migration dialogue.? The Plan?includes a UK-Greece exchange of expertise on asylum and returns processes and organised immigration crime. This also forms part of our regional and international cooperation response, as part of a 'whole of route' approach to tackling the challenges of, and risks posed by, irregular migration. For example, our co-operation with Turkey is key to effectively managing migratory flows and preventing people risking their lives while attempting to cross the Aegean. We are actively engaging to help shape the international response on migration further up the route, working through an increasingly diverse set of partners and source and transit countries.